Psychopharmacology – Antipsychotics and Antidepressants

Question 1

Stats for psychiatric drug prescriptions in 2013

Answer 1

1 in 6 people

Most common:
1. Antidepressants (12%)
2. Anxiolytics (8.3%)
3. Sedatives (8.3%)
4. Hypnotics (8.3%)
5. Antipsychotics (1.6%)

Leading 10 includes:
1. 4 SSRIs
2. 1 SARI
3. 1 SNRI
4. 4 benzodiazepines

Question 2

Antipsychotics

Answer 2

Also known as neuroleptics
First- and second-generation

Question 3

First-generation antipsychotics (FGAs)

Answer 3

1. Also known as traditional or conventional antipsychotics
2. Better at treating positive symptoms than negative symptoms
3. Blocks dopamine (mostly D2) receptors
4. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
5. Haloperidol (Haldol)
6. Thioridazine (Mellaril)
7. Fluphenazine (Proxilin)

Question 4

3 FGA side effect categories

Answer 4

1. Anticholinergic side effects
2. Extrapyramidal side effects
3. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)

Question 5

Anticholinergic side effects of FGAs

Answer 5

1. More likely with low-potency FGAs (Thorazine, Mellaril)

Side effects:
1. Dry mouth
2. Blurred vision
3. Urinary retention
4. Constipation
5. Tachycardia

Question 6

Extrapyramidal side effects of FGAs

Answer 6

1. More likely with high-potency FGAs (Haldol, Proxilin)

Side effects:
1. Parkinsonism
2. Dystonia
3. Akathisia
4. Tardive dyskinesia